2023 Harding Bisons football team explained
| Year: | 2023 |
| Team: | Harding Bisons |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Great American Conference |
| Short Conf: | GAC |
| Afcarank: | 1 |
| Record: | 15–0 |
| Conf Record: | 11–0 |
| Head Coach: | Paul Simmons |
| Hc Year: | 7th |
| Off Scheme: | Flexbone triple option |
| Def Coach: | Roddy Mote |
| Dc Year: | 7th |
| Codef Coach1: | Luke Tribble |
| Codc1 Year: | 7th |
| Def Scheme: | Multiple |
| Stadium: | First Security Stadium |
| Champion: | NCAA Division II national champion
GAC champion |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division II championship game |
| Bowl Result: | W 38–7 vs. Colorado Mines |
The 2023 Harding Bisons football team was an American football team that represented Harding University in the Great American Conference (GAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth year under head coach Paul Simmons, the team compiled a perfect 15–0 record (11–0 against conference opponents), outscored opponents by a total of 665 to 156, and won the GAC and NCAA Division II championships. The team also set an NCAA record for most rushing yards in a season with 6,161 rushing yards.[1]
The team finished the regular season ranked No. 2 among Division II programs and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they received a bye in the first round and defeated No. 6 Central Missouri (35–34) in the second round, No. 2 (7–6) in the quarterfinals, and No. 11 (55–14) in the semifinals. Through the December 16 victory over Colorado Mines, the Bison have won 18 consecutive games, the longest winning streak in program history.[2] Harding defeated No. 1 Colorado Mines in the Division II national championship game on December 16, 38–7, to win the school's first national championship.
Harding defensive end Nathaniel Wallace was selected as the 2023 GAC Defensive Player of the Year. Paul Simmons was seleced as GAC Coach of the Year.[3]
The team played its home games at First Security Stadium in Searcy, Arkansas.[1]
Preseason
The GAC coaches preseason poll was released on August 1, 2023. The Bisons were predicted to finish second in the conference. Ouachita Baptist was favored to win the conference.[4]
Schedule
[1]
Rankings
See also: 2023 NCAA Division II football rankings.
Game summaries
At Southern Nazarene
| Statistics | HAR | SNU |
|---|
| First downs | 19 | 14 |
| Total yards | 322 | 322 |
| Rushing yards | 282 | 145 |
| Passing yards | 40 | 177 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 6 |
| Time of possession | 33:29 | 26:31 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/3, 40 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Braden Jay | 4 rushes, 63 yards |
| Receiving | Braden Jay | 1 reception, 26 yards, TD |
| Southern Nazarene | Passing | Gage Porter | 6/16, 116 yards, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Gage Porter | 26 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Andrew Tisdale | 2 receptions, 74 yards | |
Oklahoma Baptist
| Statistics | OKB | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 25 |
| Total yards | 238 | 513 |
| Rushing yards | 9 | 382 |
| Passing yards | 229 | 131 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:32 | 32:28 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Oklahoma Baptist | Passing | Aidan Thompson | 27/44, 229 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | E. J. Moore | 6 rushes, 14 yards |
| Receiving | Michael Marshall | 6 receptions, 63 yards |
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/5, 124 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Andrew Miller | 5 rushes, 69 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Darius Brown | 1 reception, 76 yards, TD | |
Arkansas–Monticello
| Statistics | UAM | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | 11 | 24 |
| Total yards | 217 | 463 |
| Rushing yards | 34 | 424 |
| Passing yards | 183 | 39 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 26:24 | 33:36 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas–Monticello | Passing | Demilon Brown | 18/32, 183 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Demilon Brown | 12 rushes, 15 yards |
| Receiving | Kristian Gammage | 3 receptions, 92 yards |
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 1/3, 39 yards |
| Rushing | Jhalen Spicer | 5 rushes, 76 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Braden Jay | 1 reception, 39 yards | |
Entering the game, the Boll Weevils had the top offense in the GAC, scoring 53.5 points per game, but here weld to just 217 yards of offense against Harding.
[5] At No. 20 Henderson State
| Statistics | HAR | HSU |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 11 |
| Total yards | 363 | 244 |
| Rushing yards | 353 | 54 |
| Passing yards | 10 | 190 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 39:53 | 19:57 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 1/4, 10 yards |
| Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 31 rushes, 179 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | Dane Romberger | 1 reception, 10 yards |
| Henderson State | Passing | Andrew Edwards | 15/28, 190 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Andrew Edwards | 6 rushes, 24 yards |
| Receiving | Timieone Jackson | 7 receptions, 96 yards, TD | |
Southwestern Oklahoma State
| Statistics | SWO | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | 4 | 25 |
| Total yards | 79 | 587 |
| Rushing yards | 29 | 462 |
| Passing yards | 50 | 125 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 24:38 | 35:22 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SW Oklahoma State | Passing | Sean Shelby | 5/9, 26 yards, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Troy Henderson | 5 rushes, 16 yards |
| Receiving | Elijah Reed | 3 receptions, 29 yards |
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 5/6, 125 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Andrew Miller | 7 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Will White | 1 reception, 50 yards, TD | |
Quarterback Cole Keylon completed five passes, each going to a different receiver.
At Northwestern Oklahoma State
| Statistics | HAR | NWO |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Turnovers | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| NW Oklahoma State | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
No. 5 Ouachita Baptist
| Statistics | OUA | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Turnovers | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Ouachita Baptist | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| Harding | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
The no. 9 Bisons downed the no. 5 Tigers, handing Oauchita Baptist its first loss of the season.
[6] [7] At Southern Arkansas
| Statistics | HAR | SAU |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Turnovers | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| Southern Arkansas | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
At Southeastern Oklahoma State
| Statistics | HAR | SOU |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Turnovers | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| SE Oklahoma State | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
East Central
| Statistics | ECU | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Turnovers | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| East Central | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| Harding | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
The Tigers were held to just 134 yards of total offense while Harding only attempted two passes, both of which were incomplete.
[8] At Arkansas Tech
| Statistics | HAR | ATU |
|---|
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | | |
| Rushing yards | | |
| Passing yards | | |
| Turnovers | | |
| Time of possession | | |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | |
| Arkansas Tech | Passing | | |
| Rushing | | |
| Receiving | | | |
No. 6 Central Missouri (NCAA Division II Second Round)
| Statistics | UCM | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | 27 | 20 |
| Total yards | 534 | 418 |
| Rushing yards | 109 | 384 |
| Passing yards | 425 | 34 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 24:18 | 35:42 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Central Missouri | Passing | Zach Zebrowski | 34/44, 425 yards, 5 TD |
| Rushing | Zach Zebrowski | 16 rushes, 94 yards |
| Receiving | | 9 receptions, 150 yards, 3 TD |
| Harding | Passing | Zach Strickland | 1/1, 26 yards |
| Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 34 rushes, 154 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Ty Dugger | 1 reception, 26 yards | |
The Mules scored a touchdown with less than 30 seconds in regulation, needing an extra point to tie the game and potentially send it into overtime. However, Harding defensive lineman Gage Price blocked the game-tying PAT, securing the 35–34 victory for the Bisons.
[9] No. 2 Grand Valley State (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)
| Statistics | GVS | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | 10 | 15 |
| Total yards | 222 | 225 |
| Rushing yards | 62 | 205 |
| Passing yards | 160 | 20 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 19:31 | 39:14 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Grand Valley State | Passing | Cade Peterson | 10/19, 123 yards |
| Rushing | Khalil Eichelberger | 2 rushes, 31 yards |
| Receiving | Darrell Johnson | 5 receptions, 63 yards |
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 1/3, 20 yards |
| Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 28 rushes, 70 yards |
| Receiving | Braden Jay | 1 reception, 20 yards | |
In the quarterfinal round of the NCAA division II playoffs, Harding hosted no. 2 Grand Valley State from the
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Lakers entered the game with one of the best defenses in all of division II, holding opponents to an average of 17 points per game. The Lakers' defense held the Bisons scoreless for just over 56 minutes of game time before Harding quarterback Cole Keylon scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
[10] No. 11 Lenoir–Rhyne (NCAA Division II Semifinals)
| Statistics | LRU | HAR |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 26 |
| Total yards | 336 | 500 |
| Rushing yards | -3 | 431 |
| Passing yards | 339 | 69 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 19:17 | 40:43 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Lenoir–Rhyne | Passing | Sean White | 23/33, 270 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Deondre Lester | 1 rush, 12 yards |
| Receiving | Deondre Lester | 8 receptions, 139 yards, TD |
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/3, 69 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 21 rushes, 147 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Roland Wallace | 1 reception, 65 yards, TD | |
Vs. No. 1 Colorado Mines (NCAA Division II Championship Game)
See also: 2023 Colorado Mines Orediggers football team.
| Statistics | HAR | CSM |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 18 |
| Total yards | 548 | 341 |
| Rushing yards | 502 | 71 |
| Passing yards | 46 | 270 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 36:10 | 23:50 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Harding | Passing | Cole Keylon | 2/2, 46 yards |
| Rushing | Blake Delacruz | 27 rushes, 212 yards |
| Receiving | Roland Wallace | 2 receptions, 46 yards |
| Colorado Mines | Passing | | 24/33, 270 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Landon Walker | 6 rushes, 56 yards |
| Receiving | Max McLeod | 14 receptions, 153 | |
Statistical accomplishments
On offense, Harding prioritizes the run game, averaging over 400 rushing yards per game. In a game against on October 21, the team rushed for 631 yards and had two players (Braden Jay and Blake Delacruz) each tally over 200 rushing yards.[11]
On defense, the team has recorded four shutouts and has allowed per-game averages of 10.92 points, 74.2 rushing yards, and 158.62 passing yards.
The team's individual statistical leaders include:
- Blake Delacruz with 1,149 rushing yards and 114 points scored;
- Cole Keylon with 546 passing yards;
- Braden Jay with seven receptions for 164 yards;
[12]
Harding became the first team in NCAA history to rush for over 6,000 yards in a single season.
Notes and References
- News: 2023 Football Schedule. Harding University. December 5, 2023.
- Web site: No. 3 Harding vs. No. 6 Central Mo. -- GAME NOTES. November 21, 2023. December 6, 2023.
- News: Simmons named GAC Coach of the Year. The Daily Citizen. November 17, 2023.
- Web site: #theGAC FOOTBALL COACHES VOTE OUACHITA BAPTIST AS PRESEASON FAVORITE . August 1, 2023 . December 17, 2023.
- News: Harding Bisons roam past UA-Monticello Boll Weevils, 59-19. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. September 16, 2023.
- News: Plenty on the line for Tigers, Bisons. Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Erick Taylor. October 14, 2023.
- News: Bisons clobber Tigers in Searcy, lead GAC. The Sentinel-Record. Bob Wisener. October 16, 2023.
- News: No. 4 Harding rushes past ECU for 14th straight win. The Ada News. Sydney Dungen. November 8, 2023.
- News: Harding outlasts Central Missouri in playoff thriller. The Sentinel-Record. November 26, 2023.
- News: Late touchdown helps Harding upend Grand Valley State football in D2 quarterfinals. Mlive.com. Josh VanDyke. December 3, 2023.
- Web site: No. 6 Harding Tops 600 Rushing Yards; Blasts SAU 54-20. Harding University. October 21, 2023. December 6, 2023.
- Web site: 2023 Football Cumulative Statistics. Harding University. December 6, 2023.
